Trail Links

Confederation Trail

When Prince Edward Island's railway was abandoned in 1989 Islanders were quick to notice a unique opportunity. The idea of a tip-to-tip shared use walking and cycling trail in the summer and a snowmobile trail in the winter was born. With beautiful rolling hill scenery, quaint villages and broad bay seascapes, the Confederation Trail is Canada's portion of the Trans Canada Trail.

The 410 kilometers of rolled stone dust trail has gentle gradients which never exceed 2% (up or down). This Island wide exploration corridor is ideal for visitors of all fitness levels. The Main Trail starts in Tignish at kilometer 0 and ends in Elmira at kilometer 273. Branch trails extend into the heart of Charlottetown and to the waterside communities of Souris, Georgetown, Montague, Wood Islands, Murray River and Murray Harbour, plus the link to the Confederation Bridge in Borden-Carleton. Without any real wilderness in PEI frequent villages along the Trail offer cyclist and hiker's a convenient selection of accommodations, food and services.

The Confederation Trail is a geocaching hotspot with over 1900 geocache sites along the route. Also, PEI's 110 kilometer portion of the International Appalachian Trail begins in Borden-Carleton, after hiker's are shuttled across the Confederation Bridge they mainly hike on the Confederation Trail until its exit point at the Wood Islands ferry terminal. Prince Edward Island is rich in picturesque scenery, cultural and musical talent, culinary delights and Canadian heritage. This wonderful piece of Canada has countless adventures to offer and is best explored by bicycle or foot along the Confederation Trail.

Confederation Trail Map

For a detailed map of the Confederation Trail, view our interactive map or download our PDF.

New Section of Confederation Trail, 2014

A new section of the Confederation Trail is being developed between Iona and Stratford in the Points East Coastal Drive daytour region. Because this new section will not be completely open until mid September, user's will find most sections can be walked but cannot be cycled. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Cycling Guide to PEI

The Confederation Trail Cycling Guide will help you plan your cycling vacation on the Confederation Trail. The guide includes accommodations which are part of the Cyclists Welcome Program. Participants of this program take the needs of cyclists into consideration and make their properties welcoming and easy for cyclists.

Five exciting Prince Edward Island cycling itineraries

The first long section of trail completed runs between Tignish and Kensington. This 125-km stretch takes you from a beautifully restored stone railway station in Kensington to the Harbourfront Theatre in Summerside and onward to Wellington and the heart of PEI's Acadian community. From there the off-road route travels through farmlands and forests, and allows you to experience the warmth and history of communities such as Tyne Valley, O'Leary and Tignish.

Although activity on the Confederation Trail is limited to walkers and hikers, wheelchairs, cyclists and runners in the summertime, and snowmobiles in the winter, there are now two parallel equestrian trails in the western end of the Island. The Summerside to Travellers Rest section is 4.2 km, while the O'Leary to Coleman run is 5.1 km.

Read about Zack’s Tip-To-Tip Tour Experience. Zachary, at the age of nine, and his 78 year-old grandmother Phyllis, cycled the 273 km trail and created memories to last a lifetime.

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